| SACH
Soundings
No
38 June 2009
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To see ourselves as others see us
My daughter has just completed her first year at university studying Social Anthropology. Most people nod vaguely when you tell what she’s doing as if to say that they don’t really know what the subject is but think that they should. Let me try and enlighten you. Social anthropology began as the science of the exotic and what would have then been termed 'savage'. Over time anthropologists have extended the range of their discipline to include almost any human group whether living in isolation in the rainforest or the workplaces of the industrialised world.
Anthropologists observe and draw conclusions about what they have witnessed. They assume nothing and can learn much from what might appear to be very similar settings. Imagine spending time in an unfamiliar European city and at your leisure wander the streets. See how many details of life on these streets or the market, inside shops or churches, strike you as different from the streets, markets, shops and churches that you know at home. For example, you may notice both similarities and differences in a visit to the inevitable McDonalds. After your Big Mac pay attention not only to the details of the physical surroundings but also to people's behaviour and how they seem to interact with each other. Your observations are the basic elements of social anthropology.
If my daughter could be persuaded to do a field study on chaplains, I wonder what she would discover. She might find a group of people trying to find their way in what is still relatively unfamiliar territory as NHS employees; a group of people who, on the whole, still have ties or allegiances to the churches. The most interesting observations might be made at those times where one rubs against the other.
The recent debate about the appointment of a homosexual minister at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland highlighted the very real issues that can arise at that meeting point. While we are all individuals who can have our own views about this, as chaplains working in the NHS we are working to a common set of principles along with all other staff. Were a chaplain to sign the online petition against the upholding of the call to the minister the two cultures would come into conflict and potentially a lot of difficulties could arise. Is there a debate to be had here about being in good standing with your faith community when it is at variance with your employer?
As a profession we have worked hard to demonstrate our inclusiveness and our non partisan offering of spiritual care. Whatever individuals may think of the debate in Edinburgh, as chaplains working in the NHS any kind of discrimination is not acceptable and goes against policies on equality and diversity and our own code of conduct. However if the moral and theological arguments are compelling in cases like this one then the possible consequences should be borne in mind.
Derek Brown
President, SACH
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Notes from the last Executive Meeting
held in Dunblane on 12 May
Future of SACH
Following discussion at the last meeting as to the future role of SACH, Jim Simpson intimated a response from the Grampian team in favour of including pastoral care, particularly for chaplains in isolated areas – this to be in addition to aspects previously discussed.
AGM
It was decided that Ewan Kelly be asked to incorporate the SACH AGM into the Chaplains’ conference at the Beardmore Hotel which will take place 23-24 September. Having been invited to attend this Executive meeting, Ewan personally confirmed the availability of this venue.
Spiritual Care Matters
Discussion took place with regard to various ways of distributing copies of this document. Each Board area has already found its own preferred method and sharing of views proved useful for those seeking the most profitable way forward.
Accountability
There was discussion about the potential difficulties of chaplains upholding NHS policies while seeking to remain in good standing with their faith community and also expressing their own personal views where an apparent clash of interest may arise. It was agreed that when employed by the NHS, the employer’s rules must be upheld and that a statement of guidance be included in SACH Soundings. (See the President’s article on the front page of this edition.)
Committee Reports
UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy – Derek Brown reported a) website problems ongoing b) unresolved issues in England with Multi-faith Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy c) next meeting in June.
Scottish Churches Committee on Healthcare Chaplaincy – Margery Collin intimated next meeting to take place on 14 May
Spiritual Care Development Committee- there was no available update
CTAG – it was agreed Ewan Kelly be asked to update - a) it is intended that the role of research and evidence-based practice be explored - perhaps to create a research community in Scotland b) intention also to make profitable use of audit results – Ewan Kelly to gather stats later this year re what chaplains do, how much it costs, etc
Programme Director
Ewan Kelly was asked to address the committee. He spoke of the future of chaplaincy, the role of SACH and a desire to work collaboratively.
Health Boards - Initially Ewan will find out what is happening in each Board area, while relating this to the broader UK scene. He is aware of a lack of consistency in provision across all Boards and would like to ensure all chaplains feel supported, not isolated.
Education - Being part of NHS Education for Scotland (NES) offers an opportunity to copy best practice re education, research, CPD, reflective practice, etc. Education of chaplains must meet NHS criteria. To this end the new Chaplaincy course at Glasgow University is ideal. The first cohort of 12 will be chosen from 33 applicants, incorporating a mix of Health Boards, experience and specialism. The aim is to produce competent, reflective practitioners, creating a balance between the professional and the personal – this to be highlighted at the training day on 26/05
Scottish Government – currently there is interest in the softer side of healthcare, hence initiatives around patient experience, palliative care, etc. This is therefore a good time for chaplains to have a role in shaping the future of health care in Scotland.
Derek Brown thanked Ewan for sharing his vision for the future of chaplaincy and reiterated the need for SACH to find the best way forward now to support its members.
Andy Graham asked for help in compiling a business case in the event of one being required – Ewan will consider ways of supporting this.
The next meeting of the SACH Executive will take place on Thursday 6 August 2009 at Scottish Churches House, Dunblane.
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A date for your Diary……….
Wednesday 23 September 2009
SACH Annual General Meeting
Beardmore Hotel, Clydebank
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me
what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know
if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.
(© Mountaindreaming,
from the book The Invitation
published by HarperSanFrancisco, 1999)
Sent in by John McMahon
Chaplain, Royal Edinburgh Hospital
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A message received by one of the Aberdeen Chaplains…….
At a time when the oil in my lamp was low and the light failing,
you replenished my lamp and helped light up a very dark path.
At a time when I was lost and very frightened,
you took my hand and pointed me in the right direction.
When I had strayed from the safety of the flock,
you came looking for me, found me and led me back into the safety of the fold.
Thank you seems so inadequate,
but from the bottom of my (now healthy!) heart, thank you so much.
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